The atmosphere under the pavilion had shifted. Few stood still. Lots had huddled in groups like it was halftime during a soccer match. If Walker had a corked bottle, he could’ve bottled lightning.

“Damn, if we waited, we could’ve gotten double for that cat,” Chet said.

Walker placed his chin on his fist, “What do you think happened to that thing?”

Chet shrugged, “Who cares. It’s in the past anyways.”

“My priority is looking for my friend,” Sonya interjected.

Like a feline sneaking up on its prey, Smiley leaned in and placed a hand on her left shoulder, “Missing persons?”

Sonya's face went slack and as quick as lightning she reached behind her back.

“Get your hand off me,” she whispered.

Smiley lingered, letting his hand lay for a second more before he pulled back and raised his hands in surrender, “I’m so sorry. Sometimes… I forget people don’t like that.”

Sonya kept her hand poised behind her, she glared at Walker like it was his fault that happened. In a way it was he guessed. Walker and Chet exchanged looks. Should he say something? Apologize for Smiley?

Chet beat him to it, “Man, I haven’t felt tension this thick since I caught my now ex-girlfriend drinking from my toilet.”

Smiley leaned back, “Been there.”

Walker snapped his head toward him, “What, why? Was it flushed at least?”

Chet shrugged, “No, I was on an environment kick, less flushing meant less wasted water.” He shook his head, “Last time I do anything for the environment.”

Walker peeked at Sonya; she too was squinting in confusion at the story.

He inwardly sighed and pulled out his phone, “As much as I want to explore Chet’s peepee-drinking girlfriend, let’s check out this bounty.”

The app’s mission page was altered. Like normal, a list of task names, their requirements, and the reward filled the page. However, a banner now filled half the page. He clicked on it and a new list appeared. The three of them skimmed the list of creatures and debated what to choose. During this time Sonya scooted away from Smiley and closer to him.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“I say we go back to the sewers-” Walker glanced at Smiley and weighed whether he should reveal what happened down there.

He settled on ambiguity, “We know a little about what’s down there and we can prepare.”

Chet tapped his phone, “You see what I’m seeing right? I filtered it by location, the sewers have dozens of bounties alone in there. See this?” He turned his phone to the two of them, “Heavy firepower recommended. Do we look like heavy firepower? You and I don’t own guns. The only one is Sonya who almost fell asleep the last time she went down there.”

Sonya nodded, “I’m going to have to agree with Chet. You guys are big, especially you Chet. But not thirty thousand pounds per square inch of force big.”

“Honestly, what I want…” She glared at Smiley who was trying to balance himself on the edge of the bench, “Do you mind leaving? We’re having a team meeting here.”

Smiley clasped his hands together, “Kicking out Smiley? Not nice. Here’s a tip because I’m nice. You’re friend Richard, not dead yet. You’re close though. Bye-bye.”

He swung himself off the bench and strolled away before Sonya could shake herself out of the shock.

“How the hell does he know about Dick?” She snarled at Walker.

“I didn’t tell him anything ‘bout you guys. He just helps me out with PIP stuff!”

Sonya said nothing.

“Okay…” Chet stretched the word out. “What about dog-sized rats? High population, double the money per individual, high reward, I bet we could figure out a trap or something. Maybe like Smiley said: gas.”

Walker pointed north, “I saw a lot of rats near some of the abandoned warehouses up north. We could start there.”

Sonya crossed her arms, “What did he mean by that, ‘you’re close?’. How would he know?”

Walker pursed his lips, “I don’t know he’s weird. Though, he does seem to know a lot…”

Chet pulled out a notebook, “Why don’t we write down the pros and cons of each and come to a conclusion-”

Sonya interrupted him, “Whatever I’m doing, it's going to be looking for Dick. If it happens that a bounty is in the same place, all the better.”

Chet stared at her, his face blank, “Look I get it. He’s important to you. But I’m not risking this opportunity for someone I don’t even know.”

Her jaw dropped and she looked at Walker.

Walker tried to look apologetic, “Look, I helped last time and we almost got mauled by a dog in a sewer. You can’t expect us to help you if…” he made a weighing gesture, “you don’t give us something. Anything.”

Sonya chewed her lip, “My dad wasn’t around much, and I grew up in a… challenging environment.” She looked at Walker, her bark-colored hair threatening to cover her eyes, “I can show you sometime if you want.”

Chet frowned at them.

“Anyways, he was there for me, and I’d like to return the favor,” The corner of her mouth flickered upward.

“I was thinking more in line of fifty percent of your share in the next bounty haul,” Chet said.

“Fine,” She grumbled, “And you?” Sonya stared at Walker.

The right thing to do would be to not ask for anything. Reject the physical gift and instead offer his services to create a stronger bond for the future. However, money was running low and he needed supplies if he wanted to make PIP a sustainable venture.

“You said the other night you had a guy for bullets. I need a couple of knives, got a guy for that?”

She agreed.

Chet exhaled loudly, “Great. Let’s get planning. You guys failed last night because of a lack of planning.”

He tapped his notebook, “Thankfully, I am an excellent planner. Prepare to be amazed.”